Roll of Honor
Samuel S. Taylor
Incident
Game Protector Samuel Taylor was shot and killed by game violators while attempting to arrest them for shooting songbirds along the Mohawk River east of Riverside Park. On the morning of Sunday, April 5, Game Protector Taylor joined forces with a Game Protector from Oneida to patrol along the banks of the Mohawk River to check for illegal duck hunting. While patrolling, they heard gunshots in the woods east of Riverside Park. The protectors observed several men shooting birds. One of the subjects was in possession of a shotgun, and the other was picking up dead birds. After following the violators for a time, the protectors finally stepped out in front of the party, instructing them to surrender and advising them that they were under arrest. The man carrying the shotgun fired, striking Game Protector Taylor in the chest and abdomen, and fled. Protector Taylor fell to the ground, wounded. The second subject fired two shots at the other protector, who drew his service revolver and returned fire but failed to hit the assailants. Protector Taylor was carried a half mile to the Oneida County Hospital, where despite heroic efforts to save him, Protector Taylor died from his wounds the following day. Protector Taylor's assailants were indicted but fled the area and were never apprehended and brought to justice. Protector Taylor had served with the New York State Environmental Conservation Police for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his widowed mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-E86B6456- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Game Protector Taylor gave the New York State Environmental Conservation Police 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Protector Taylor.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Game Protector Samuel S. Taylor is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At New York State Environmental Conservation Police, 4 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 22.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel S. Taylor's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel S. Taylor Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel S. Taylor is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel S. Taylor was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from New York State Environmental Conservation Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
